Twitter suspends Uganda’s Electoral Commission account

Social media company Twitter has suspended the account of Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) months to the 2021 presidential, parliamentary and local government ‘scientific elections.’

Those searching the commission’s handle @Ugandaec are welcomed by an ‘Account Suspended’ notification.

It was not readily clear why Twitter had suspended the EC account but the most basic explanation for suspensions is that user could have violated the social network’s community standards.

Twitter rules touch on safety, privacy and authenticity.

The commission has in recent days been in the news over academic papers for presidential candidates, including the incumbent Yoweri Museveni and political newcomer Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

In some of the last tweets before Twitter blocked the EC account, some National Unity Platform (NUP) leaning tweeps were piling pressure on the Simon Byabakama commission to release copies of academic papers for Museveni and his wife Janet.

Janet, the first lady is also the minister of education and sports, and a former MP.

Recently, NUP leader Bobi Wine dared the EC and assessment body Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) to release the president’s and first lady’s papers.

“I am challenging you to release them with the same urgency since you claim to be acting within the law and independently,” Bobi Wine said.

“Ugandans want to be sure that indeed, President Museveni has the qualifications he claims to have, that he was born when he claims to have been born and that he is in fact a Ugandan,  this is a debate that has raged on for years.”

Bobi Wine dares EC, UNEB to release Museveni, Janet academic papers

Lawyer Male Mabirizi recently sued Bobi Wine for reportedly lying about his age on his documents. Court has issued summons for the singer-turned-MP.

Bobi Wine: My education journey